OK,
so the history of South
Carolina football isn't
littered with championships,
the last being a 1969
ACC title. While most
will continue to question
head coach Steve Spurrier's
ability to get this team
to the promised land there's
no denying the fact he
marks the greatest football
era in school history.
With a 64% winning percentage
- the best of any South
Carolina coach whose tenure
is more than two seasons
- he continues to keep
this program just a step
away from the SEC golden
gates.

The
bad news is that with
the resurgence of Alabama
and the strength of the
SEC West Division, the
elusive Conference Championship
will remain a step away.
Oh, the 2013 Gamecocks
will put together just
as good of an array of
great athletes built on
speed and aggressive defense
but it likely won't be
enough to get them over
the hump. Why? Because
amazingly this Spurrier
offense continues to hold
them back whether it be
through inconsistent quarterback
issues that usually transcend
into a musical chair guessing
game as to which one will
start this week or come
off the bench to an offensive
line that despite multiple
coaching attempts and
great talent never seems
able to grasp the concept
of domination.

The
problem is that all SEC
programs have great athletes
and generally play great
defense with a load of
NFL talent. Inconsistency
will cost you in this
league and it's that inconsistency,
especially on the offensive
side, that bites you in
the end when the golden
gate seems within reach.
The key to this gate has
been right there for the
taking the last two seasons.
A stunning 16-13 loss
to Auburn in 2011 and
the inability to hold
off LSU in a 23-21 loss
last year could have been
the difference between
wishing and having.

The
formula is not much different
heading into 2013. The
defense will hold the
rope starting with one
of the nation's premier
sack producing units up
front while the secondary
can man up with anyone.
The talent at receiver
and on the offensive line
is quite spectacular.
Coaches just need to find
a way to bring it all
together for once.

Getting
the right breaks will
be crucial as it is for
any team in this league
and this process starts
with the schedule as South
Carolina has their ducks
lined up. They avoid having
to play Alabama, LSU and
Texas A&M from the
other side and get Florida
at home. The first two
games will likely determine
this team's fate. A home
game with unranked but
dangerous neighboring
North Carolina followed
by a huge road trip to
Athens, GA is not easy
task. That Georgia game
will be huge, as it always
is, for setting the East
Division tone.

If
there is one area that
has to be fixed immediately
it's the offensive line.
This group is indescribably
huge and gifted. No reason
exists anymore as to why
they can't overcome the
issues that have been
plaguing them for so long.
This is the key to the
whole season in many people-in-the-know's
minds.

A
decade ago going to the
Outback and Capital One
bowls might have been
worth celebrating, but
now South Carolina has
to come up with something
more. Close will no longer
cut it. The only place
to go from 11-2 the past
two seasons is 12-1, which
gets you to an SEC title
shot. And as recent history
has shown...maybe more.

It's been a roller coaster
ride for now-senior Connor
Shaw, a big time high school
talent who at times does a
real fine job throwing the
ball and running with it.
He is the team's leading returning
rusher. On the other hand
Shaw has a problem with interceptions.

The
Spurrier QB circus isn't over
by a long shot. There are
many who feel Dylan Thompson
should still run the show,
an argument that continues
to linger in Columbia...nothing
new for a Spurrier coached
team. With Shaw nursing a
foot injury this spring Thompson
got his chance and looked
good. He isn't the runner
that Shaw is but Thompson
is a better down field passer
who can stretch the field.
At the same time he is not
near as accurate as Shaw.
Hence, it looks like it's
Connor Shaw to start the 2013
season.

Redshirt
frosh Brendan Nosovitch can
both run and throw and looks
to have a bright future here.
Barring injury his time on
the stage to play musical
QBs will be in 2014. The Pennsylvania
prep product holds the state's
career record for total yards
and is second all-time in
state passing yards.

RUNNING
BACK

This was the SEC's next-to-last
ranked rushing outfit in 2012.
Not a good sign for a team
that is so-so at throwing
the ball.

A
compact Mike Davis (5'9, 215)
is a bruising back who can
carry the pigskin inside or
out. Stepping in for the departed
and oft-injured Marcus Lattimore,
he looks like he could be
the next great running back
for the Gamecocks. He also
has really nice hands making
him a substantial weapon in
the open field of the passing
game.

Brandon
Wilds is going to get a share
of the carries. Another physical
rusher who got a few chances
two years ago when getting
thrown into the ring as the
star Lattimore was out with
injury. Wilds put up substantial
numbers (137 yards vs. Tennessee
and 120 yards vs. Florida)
that season but decided to
sit out last fall to keep
his eligibility.

Keep
an eye on true freshman David
Williams out of Philadelphia,
PA. He can be a home run hitter
and looks great in open space
scoring 23 touchdowns and
rushing for 1,904 as a high
school senior.

The
depth department is well stocked.
Much like at QB don't be surprised
if the running game becomes
a committee approach.

RECEIVER

Despite the speed this has
to be an area of concern.
Like most SEC teams the receivers
have some top rated talents
but are way short on the production
and proven playmakers. However,
this may be the fasted group
of receivers in the conference.

With
reception leader Ace Sanders
declaring for the NFL, Bruce
Ellington is the veteran of
group who hauled in a team
best 600 yards catching the
rock. The 5'9 point guard
on the basketball team is
also the team's top man at
going deep on the gridiron.

Damiere
Byrd is another speed burner
who can go deep, one of the
team's fastest players and
a member of the track team,
Byrd's production fell off
in the second half of last
season. He will fight for
playing time with elite soph
Shaq Roland, a top recruit
a year ago coming in as South
Carolina's Mr. Football.

The
tall and small package at
the other spot is 6'4 Kwinton
Smith (tall) and 5'7 Nick
Jones (small). With good hands
to match his size Smith could
have gone anywhere to play
ball. Jones is not quite as
talented but has proven to
be reliable.

TIGHT
END

With starter Justice Cunningham
moving on Rory Anderson will
be called upon. Anderson physically
looks more like a wide receiver
having recorded five touchdowns
in 14 receptions. Backup Jerell
Adams has the skills to see
time. Neither have the weight
to push around defensive linemen
in the running game.

OFFENSIVE
LINE

This line has the potential
to be a devastating force.
Yet everyone in Columbia knows
the drill...decent run blocking,
poor pass protection many
times and screams for a new
line coach. Other than the
musical quarterback debates
this unit has haunted Spurrier's
career.

The
unit if full of veterans but
has to find a new leader at
center to replace T.J. Johnson.
Redshirt freshman Cody Waldrop
takes over and has the versatility
to play both guard and center.

Massive
Corey Robinson (6'8, 341)
is a former defensive lineman
who brings a physical attitude
to the group. Extremely strong
and a great run blocker but
he has trouble with the quicker
pass rushers. On the other
side is NFL-caliber Brandon
Shell, a big time recruit
who earned Freshman All-American
honors last fall.

Guard
A.J. Cann is back for his
third year as a starter at
one guard spot while the other
will be manned by senior Ronald
Patrick, who started every
game last year. All these
guys in the middle of the
line are versatile and can
play any position.

This
is a really huge wall and
that's an understatement.
No reason exists why this
group cannot become a force
even against the great SEC
defenses. They just need to
find an attitude and figure
out a way to develop some
pass protection skills.

WR
Bruce Ellington

SOUTH
CAROLINA 2013 DEPTH
CHARTReturning
Starters/Key
Players

OFFENSE

QB

Connor
Shaw-Sr (6-1, 209)

Dylan
Thompson-Jr (6-3,
218)

TB

Mike
Davis-So (5-9, 215)

Brandon
Wilds-So (6-2, 223)

WR

Nick
Jones-Jr (5-7, 174)

Kwinton
Smith-RFr (6-4, 212)

WR

Bruce
Ellington-Jr (5-9,
196)

K.J.
Brent-So (6-4, 188)

WR

Damiere
Byrd-Jr (5-9, 166)

Shaq
Roland-So (6-1, 190)

TE

Rory
Anderson-Jr (6-5,
242)

Jerell
Adams-So (6-6, 237)

OT

Corey
Robinson-Jr (6-8,
341)

Mike
Matulis-Jr (6-5, 266)

OG

A.J.
Cann-Jr (6-4, 314)

Brock
Stadnik-RFr (6-5,
286)

C

Cody
Waldrop-RFr (6-2,
319)

Clayton
Stadnik-RFr (6-3,
281)

OG

Ronald
Patrick-Sr (6-2, 315)

Will
Sport-So (6-5, 294)

OT

Brandon
Shell-So (6-6, 323)

Cody
Gibson-Jr (6-7, 286)

K

Landon
Ard-So (5-9, 172)

Nick
St. Germain-RFr (5-9,
175)

2013
DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE
LINE
- This front four should make
life a nightmare for opposing
offenses. There is speed, size
and athleticism across the board
to be dominant at both stuffing
the run and getting after the
passer. Three of these starters
have NFL potential. One named
Clowney could already be playing
at that level.
- This was the nation's fifth
ranked sack producer (first
in the SEC). Those numbers won't
change in 2013.
- Jadeveon Clowney - that is
really all that needs to be
said. The potential first overall
NFL future draft pick will do
all he can not to get injured
while getting double and triple
teamed. Yet that still may not
be enough to stop this physical
freak of nature from single-handedly
beating opponents from his defensive
end position.
- Getting the first shot at
taking over on the other side
is senior Chaz Sutton. One of
the team's former top recruits
Sutton has the size and burst
to become another NFL prospect
from this unit.
- Kelcy Quarles will be called
upon to clog the middle again
after an outstanding sophomore
campaign last fall that helped
this team become a typical SEC
top level run stuffer. He's
quick and can take the pounding
against the run. He too has
the tools to develop into an
NFL prospect.
- Keep an eye on incoming recruit
Kelsey Griffin. The four-star
defensive tackle has the pass
rush skills to become a shooting
star.
- If there is to be a weakness
picked out maybe the lack of
depth could be a concern. With
three top contributors moving
on it may take a while for coaches
to come up with the combination
they feel most comfortable with.

LINEBACKER
- A whopping five linebackers
from last year graduated. If
there is an unknown factor on
this team here is where the
concern lies.
- Tradition dictates that no
matter the personnel losses
the Gamecocks will be fine on
this side of the ball. With
some luck in the health department
all should turn out well once
coaches settle in on a starting
rotation and the players get
their feet wet.
- The big jump this spring was
the play of Kaiwan Lewis in
the middle. Lewis only garnered
time with the special teams
last fall as a true freshman.
He has the range but has to
prove he can continue the same
spring pace through an entire
season. T.J. Holloman will battle
Lewis at this spot. The former
high school quarterback has
the tremendous speed to blossom
into a premier defender.
- The health of Cedrick Cooper,
who is still trying to come
back from a knee injury suffered
in the bowl game, is a crucial
element. He is expected to be
one of the team's leading tacklers
from the weakside.
- The Spur position is a hybrid
safety and strongside linebacker.
The smallish Sharrod Golightly
covers well and can also play
the nickel spot. Jordan Diggs
is the more purest of the two
when it comes to tackling.
- These linebackers can best
be described as The Fly Boys...they
are small but can fly. They
just need some experience.

DEFENSIVE
BACKS
- This secondary was extraordinary
a year ago and didn't give up
the big play. With three starters
coming back to go with a great
pass rush the production should
continue.
- Cornerback is where the story
begins. Veteran studs Victor
Hampton and Jimmy Legree can
hang with anything the SEC throws
at them. Both have All-SEC potential.
- Brison Williams takes over
full-time at strong safety after
overcoming a broken arm that
cost him the bulk of the 2011
season. He is like an extra
linebacker on the field.
- Replacing free safety D.J.
Swearinger was the first order
of business. Kadetrix Marcus
gets the nod. He's a great tackler
and could also play the strong
safety spot. The good news is
that Marcus was considered the
Most Improved defensive back
during the spring.

CB
Victor Hampton

SOUTH
CAROLINA 2013 DEPTH
CHARTReturning
Starters/Key
Players

DEFENSE

DE

Chaz
Sutton-Sr (6-5, 263)

Mason
Harris-So (6-3, 218)

DT

J.T.
Surratt-Jr (6-2, 307)

Gerald
Dixon-So (6-3, 318)

DT

Kelcy
Quarles-Jr (6-4, 298)

Phillip
Dukes-So (6-3, 315)

DE

Jadeveon
Clowney-Jr (6-6, 274)

Darius
English-RFr (6-6,
226)

SPUR

Sharrod
Golightly-Jr (5-10,
195)

Jordan
Diggs-RFr (6-0, 214)

MLB

Kaiwan
Lewis-So (6-0, 221)

T.J.
Holloman-RFr (6-2,
228)

WLB

Cedrick
Cooper-So (6-2, 213)

Marcquis
Roberts-So (6-1, 225)

CB

Victor
Hampton-Jr (5-10,
202)

Ahmad
Christian-So (5-10,
189)

CB

Jimmy
Legree-Sr (6-0, 187)

Rico
McWilliams-RFr (5-11,
187)

SS

Brison
Williams-Jr (5-11,
218)

Chaz
Elder-RFr (6-2, 199)

FS

Kadetrix
Marcus-Jr (6-1, 195)

T.J.
Gurley-So (5-10, 196)

P

Tyler
Hull-Jr (6-2, 206)

Patrick
Fish-Jr (6-0, 195)

2013
SPECIAL TEAMS

Walk-on
Landon Ard takes over at kicker
for the departed Adam Yates. Kicking
has not been exactly a strong suite
for this team lately. Ard has a
big leg but has to prove he can
be consistent from midrange.

Redshirt
freshman Nick St. Germain is the
scholarship kicker who will get
every opportunity to wrestle the
job away from Ard. St. Germain recorded
121 career touchbacks on kickoffs
while playing high school football
in Georgia.

The
punting game needs improvement.
Starter Tyler Hill returns after
mustering a paltry 39.4 yards per
punt. His longest boot recorded
was just 55 yards.

Bruce
Ellington has the speed to be an
all-star kick returner. He has handled
the duties the past two seasons.

The
huge loss is that of Ace Sanders
as a remarkable punt return star.
Sanders was a game changer from
this spot. Look for cornerback Victor
Hampton to get first crack at filling
his shoes although it's doubtful
anyone on this roster can duplicate
what Sanders meant to this team
as a return specialist.

Two
seasons ago the special teams were
a nightmare. While this area has
improved enough to not be considered
a negative the Gamecocks still have
yet to locate a consistent kicker,
punter and a replacement for Sanders.